8 Best Travel Backpacks

Whether you're going hiking, shopping, sightseeing, or jetting off to a business meeting, here are the chicest, safest, and sturdiest options to throw over your shoulders.

Courtesy Filson

For the Day Hiker

This cinch-top Filson backpack comes with a water-repellent, structured base and a snap-removable pouch for your valuables. Plus, the bag is lightweight and flexible, so you can roll it up and store it in your luggage when it isn't needed. Filson has been making high-quality, durable backpacks since 1897, so you don't even need to take our word for it.

For the Business Traveler

We're a sucker for This Is Ground's backpack. It's built with a hidden (but easily removable) Tile GPS tracking device to keep track of your important documents and phone, optional Karma Wifi hotspot so you’ll never miss an email or text, and a tablet pocket lined with microfiber to make smudges a thing of the past. Plus, it's all wrapped up in Italian leather.

For the No-Frills Minimalist

Fjällräven was probably our first intro to Swedish one-ups. Some Traveler editors have even been carrying their classic Kånken backpack since college. The bag fits a 15-inch laptop in a padded pocket and offers easy access without the fuss of too many pockets.

For the Long-Haul Traveler

Our first tip for finding the best heavy-duty hiking or long-haul trek pack is simple: trust the pros. Head to REI or a nearby sporting goods store and try on plenty of backpacks. If you're a woman, make sure to check out packs built specifically for your torso size. This Osprey pack comes in small/medium and medium/large, which helps customize the bag based on your height, plus it has a detachable daypack on the front, so you won't have to lug your big bag from here to there. When you do need to haul your pack, the Farpoint comes with a top and side handles to make it a little easier.

For the Overpacker

Sometimes, you just need a bag inside a bag. If you bought too many souvenirs on your latest trip, pack an extra backpack, like this Herschel option, to act as an additional carry-on. The bag folds up into its own internal self-storage pocket and comes in nearly 50 color variations.

For the Urban Explorer

Cross-body purses are often the way to go when on the move but a stylish backpack comes in close second. This Italian suede backpack from Mansur Gavriel has an interior zip pocket, adjustable straps, and a cinch top, perfect for museum hopping.

For the Long Weekender

Don't be fooled. This is more than just a duffel. The hardy Patagonia bag converts into a backpack, thanks to a pair of padded, removable shoulder straps. Not only does it extend into a backpack, making trekking through the airport a little easier, it can be stuffed into its own internal pocket for easy storage.

For the Theft-Averse

If you're worried about pickpockets, just go straight to Pacsafe. This anti-theft backpack comes with all the bells and whistles, like slashproof straps and pockets, lockable zippers, RFID blocking materials, and security hooks that lock your bag strap around a chair or pole to prevent snatch and grabs. Inside, there's a padded laptop sleeve and plenty of pockets to stash your keys, phone, and cards safely away.